The early history of Lo (Mustang) and Ngari

In the language of its natives, "Mustang" (smon thang) refers only to the small walled capital city of the larger territory of Lo (glo bo). Lo's territory embraced all of the upper Kali Ghandaki valley, from what is now called Baragaon up to the highest elevations in its watershed. The lands which Mustang's rulers controlled in the 15th century included all of Upper and Lower Lo (glo bo stod smad) and Dolpo, while the adjoining areas such as Thak Khola and Manang were their tributaries. Set apart from those neighbours by a wall of mountain on three sides and a climatic boundary on the fourth, Lo's own borders were well defined. Its location makes it a strategic spot, controlling what was once an important trans-Himalayan trade route but the land's size, climate and terrain prevented it from supporting a population sufficient for permanent military domination of even the above mentioned areas. During low ebbs in its history, it sometimes lost control of all but Upper Lo. This was due to encroachments of stronger states such as Gunthang, Jumla, Purang and Guge. Nevertheless, since the beginning of the present ruling line at the end of the 14th century, Lo managed for centuries to maintain its status as a separate political entity. At the end of the 18th century, Lo finally become a part of Gurkha Nepal, and it continued to enjoy a great deal of autonomy and a right to rule directly, and demand tribute from its immediate neighbours.